Building Stronger Universities (BSU) III Workshop - Streamlining and Ensuring Seamlessness In ORID’s Post-Award Process
The goal of building stronger universities has led to a partnership between the Danish Government and the Office of Research Innovation and Development (ORID) of the University of Ghana over the past eight years. Through the Building Stronger Universities (BSU) project, now in its third phase, a series of workshops have been held as part of project activities.
This latest workshop under the BSU III workplan, is a follow-up of a previous programme, and was held on the theme:
‘Streamlining and Ensuring Seamlessness in ORID’s Post-Award process’
With the increasing demand for enhanced research support across a broad spectrum of scientific enquiry, training under the BSU III project is intended to strengthen the capacity of research administration staff. Topics covered included, adaptation to evolving trends, strategies for improving workflow, communication and the seamless integration of work processes.
Organized by the Capacity Development Team (CaD), the workshop took place over a three-day period, 24th to 26th September, and was attended by research administration staff in Pre and Post Award Services (PPA), Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property Services and Accounting/Internal Audit units at ORID, as well as staff from the College of Basic and Applied Sciences (CBAS) and the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR).
The Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, in welcoming participants, highlighted the critical role that ORID played in upholding the tenets of research. He stated that the charge to due diligence, transparency and accountability was paramount in this regard. He urged grants and contract administrators to be circumspect and judicious, and ensure that the goals of the BSU Project and the wider vision of the University of Ghana to intensify research are accomplished.
Mr. Christian Gregart - Lead Facilitator
Mr. Christian Gregart, the Danish Consultant on the BSU III Project engaged participants in discussions on enhancing post-award management of funded projects. He highlited synergies between PPA services, financial management and the delivery of results.
The workshop touched on best practice in post-award delivery, and the critical role of the Internal Audit and Accounting Units in the post-award process, with emphasis on their vital contributions to the provision of accurate and timely financial reports for principal investigators and donors.
Group photograph of participants